HappyTail Hour Monday April 28, 2008

Being the crazy dog person I am I love that tonight we've got Dog Day in the Park at Slugger Field today and coming up soon we've got HappyTail Hour. Yay for springtime activities that are pet friendly.

For the second year in a row, Metro Animal Services (MAS) and the Louisville Waterfront Development Corporation (WDC) will host HappyTail Hour, in conjunction with Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront Park's Great Lawn.  It's Louisville's only "pet inclusive" cocktail event, taking place Monday, April 28th from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Waterfront Park. (All pets must be on leashes.)

The event will provide a fun opportunity for the pet loving community to come together to listen to the music from Margarita-Ville on the Great Stage, mingle, play games with their dogs and hang out in the newest Kentucky Derby Festival venue at Waterfront Park.  S.P.O.T., MAS's 34-foot mobile adoption unit will also be on hand with adoptable animals.

"There are a lot of festival events, but none are really conducive to pets.  HappyTail Hour will fill that void and provide an event where people can bring their pets along to have a bite to eat or to socialize," said Jackie Gulbe, MAS assistant director of community relations.  "Many people love mingling with other pet lovers and the animals like and really need to socialize too." 

The original event was conceived as a result of community feedback expressing concern about a lack of events that welcome pets.  Many dog owners are interested in social activities that are pet friendly. 

"I see how many people bring their dogs to the other events that we have on the waterfront and it just made sense to have an event geared for the pet loving crowd," said Ashley Cox, WDC marketing & event coordinator.  "This will be a derby event where pets are completely welcome!"   

For questions, contact Jackie Gulbe at Metro Animal Services at (502) 361-1318.